Page 62 of Finding Denver
I adjust the ears. “Excellent. I have nine lives.”
“Don’t waste them.”
With Lewis not far behind, and I’m sure other men lining the block for both Holly and me, we follow her from house to house. She leaps up steps and knocks on doors with total confidence, twirling in her outfit, growling on demand and just being adorable.
“How’ve you been?” Colt asks, his attention on his niece. He rarely takes his eyes off her, despite the protection. I wonder how that must feel. It was one of my constant worries when I was pregnant with Theo—would I be able to keep him safe?
“You’re tense,” I say.
Colt hums his agreement. “I can’t keep her from doing things like this, no matter how much I want to.”
I watch Holly in a gaggle of other kids her age as they wait patiently with bags open. “The older I get, the more I feel sorry for my dad. I used to fight so hard against my protection, especially when I was a teenager. I thought he was the most overbearing dad in the world. Now, I get it.”
Colt says, “It never stops. It’s like a buzzing in your brain. And the moment you get a sense of relief, you know there’s something you should be worrying about. And it’s them. It’s always them.”
I note the use of the word “them” and not “her.” Holly rejoins Charlie, and we go to the next house.
“You didn’t answer my question, by the way,” Colt says.
I sigh and stare at the sky. “I’m … fine. Navigating a strange situation by looking great on the outside while slowly shriveling up on the inside.”
He laughs. “Your hair does look good.”
“Good?” I gasp. “Only good? This took three hours, I’ll have you know.”
“I’m sorry. You’re radiant. Outstanding. You outshine every other woman here.”
I nod, satisfied. “Thank you. The ears help.” I adjust them. “But I guess I’m okay. How are you? Tell me about Colt Harland.”
“Me? There’s nothing to tell. I work, I uncle, I sleep.”
I smile. “Is uncle a verb now?”
“Big time. It’s a huge responsibility.”
“You do it well,” I say, and he looks away. “Oh my God, Ghost is blushing.”
He tuts. “I am not.”
“I just made you feel good. That’s disgusting.”
He laughs loudly and I grin. It’s been impossible to avoid moments like this with Colt. We don’t exactly see each other, but he’s my way to contact Holly and for Holly to contact me. But when she’s with her tutor or out, Colt and I just … talk.
It’s never about anything in particular. Work, mainly. Searching for Spider has become a priority since the Capellis have backed off. Ironically, the same contacts I used to try and find Colt are now helping us find Spider. There are times we’re on the phone for hours, trading ideas or information. And then there are the times we talk about normal stuff. His worries about Holly, mainly his frustration that she isn’t getting the most out of her life because of how unsafe she is. Sometimes he’ll text me and suggest movies. Other times,he’ll say he’s had a bad day and begs me to make him laugh.
I’m not exactly sure how it happened, but I think Colt might be my friend.
“You’ve blushed around me too, y’know,” he says.
I scoff. “I have not.”
“Yep. That day in the restaurant.”
“Why was I blushing?—”
His hand slips around my waist, tugging me close, and his lips are by my ear before I can even attempt to step away. “When I whispered in your ear.”
Hot goose bumps erupt down one side of my neck, and I lift my shoulder, laughing and trying to twist away. “That’s because your beard tickles.”
